HAMPSHIRE residents are being asked to help record the number of animals they see on county roads.

Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling on volunteers across Britain to record sightings of mammals, dead or alive, as part in its annual Mammals on Roads survey.

PTES is asking families going on summer holidays or day trips, car-sharing commuters and anyone else using Britain’s roads, to record sightings of mammals and submit the records via the free Mammals on Roads app.

The data collected helps conservationists to see changing population trends and most importantly, identify where conservation action is needed most and for which species.

David Wembridge, mammal surveys coordinator, explains: “Mammals on Roads began over 18 years ago, and though no-one likes seeing roadkill, recording such sightings every year tells us how wild mammals are faring in the surrounding landscape.

"For example, thanks to the many volunteers who’ve submitted records over the last two decades we found out that hedgehog numbers are plummeting.

"Now, we’re doing everything we can to help this species, but we wouldn’t have known they were in trouble without volunteers helping us.”

He added: “Taking part in Mammals on Roads can really make a huge difference and helps ongoing conservation efforts by building a countrywide picture of how mammal numbers are changing.

"Helping mammals couldn’t be easier, so we hope our regular recorders and lots of new ones will take part this year.”

The wild mammals residents more likely to spot from vehicles include hedgehogs, badgers, rabbits, foxes and deer.

Last month the Department for Transport announced the launch of a new mammal road sign, featuring a hedgehog, which will soon be on the side of Britain’s roads.

The new sign will remind road users to keep an eye out for small wild mammals, in order to lessen the number of collisions involving animals each year.

The data collected via PTES’ Mammals on Roads survey will help inform where these new road signs should be placed, in areas where collisions with animals are highest.